In a valley in the outer circle of Hueco Mundo.
A large number of Hollows gathered here. The outermost were ordinary and large Hollows. Further in were Gillian. And in the center were intermediate Menos Grande, Adjuchas… and not just one.
"Garcia, how did it go? Did you kill those Shinigami?" asked a green-skinned Adjuchas leading the group.
"Um, Flores-sama, the plan failed," said an Adjuchas with bull-like horns, addressing the leader named Flores cautiously.
Although both were Adjuchas, Garcia's strength was only equivalent to a Lieutenant-level Shinigami, while Flores's strength had reached Captain-level.
"What?! Aren't those Shinigami down to just a few dozen? You useless fool! How did you mess this up?!" Flores roared angrily.
"Flores-sama, please calm down. Originally, it was foolproof, but we never expected those Shinigami to suddenly get reinforcements," Garcia hurriedly explained.
"So what?! I ordered you to drive over ten thousand ordinary Hollows to attack them. Even if they got a few reinforcements, what does it matter?" Flores asked.
"Flores-sama, among the Shinigami reinforcements came a very powerful individual. He single-handedly crushed the entire Hollow horde!" Garcia said, his body trembling at the thought of Toshiro's imposing might.
At the time, Garcia hadn't personally attacked the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, he just observed from behind. When he saw Toshiro displaying immense power, sweeping through the Hollow horde, even using Bankai, Garcia was so frightened he ran back before the battle ended.
"One person?!" Flores exclaimed in shock.
"Yes, Flores-sama. Moreover, that Shinigami even used Bankai. He's likely a Captain of the Gotei 13 from the Soul Society," Garcia said with some fear.
"A Shinigami using Bankai, Captain-level? Hmm, interesting. Let me, the Great Flores, personally test your strength!" Flores said confidently.
Looking at Flores's confidence, Garcia opened his mouth to say something but ultimately remained silent.
After witnessing Toshiro's power firsthand, Garcia didn't believe Flores could defeat Toshiro, but he didn't dare say it.
Flores had a very volatile temper. If Garcia dared say Flores wasn't Toshiro's match, Flores would undoubtedly tear him to pieces in a fit of rage!
"Garcia, go gather more Hollows. We've already found the Shinigami's camp, right? We'll attack directly tomorrow! With me, Flores, there, we will definitely eliminate those Shinigami," Flores declared confidently.
"Yes, Flores-sama," Garcia replied weakly, then turned to leave to gather more Hollows.
However, Garcia had already decided: during the battle with the Shinigami, if things went wrong, he'd flee immediately.
Most Hollows were cruel and warlike, but Garcia was clearly an exception. At the slightest hint of danger, his first thought was to run.
But it was precisely this personality that had kept him alive through countless crises.
Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force's camp.
After a meeting with the corps commanders, Toshiro let them return to rest. After all, they had just experienced a major battle and needed proper rest.
The next day.
Toshiro and the corps commanders stood outside the camp.
"Ando, Amagai, you two come with me to find the Hollows that attacked the expeditionary force last time. Ota, Kawano, you two stay and guard the camp," Toshiro said.
"Yes, Commander Hitsugaya!" they replied.
"Ota, Kawano, the expeditionary force is in your hands now. If you encounter a Hollow attack, contact me immediately via communicator, understood?" Toshiro instructed.
"Yes, Commander Hitsugaya, don't worry. If there are any problems, we'll contact you promptly," Ota Masaru, commander of the 2nd Corps, and Kawano Yoshio, commander of the 4th Corps, assured.
"Good. Ando, Amagai, let's go," Toshiro said.
Ando and Amagai led the way, with Toshiro following closely.
…
A desolate desert area.
"Swish!"
Three figures suddenly appeared here: Toshiro and the two.
"Is this where you were ambushed, Ando?" Toshiro asked Ando.
"Yes, Commander Hitsugaya. This is where we encountered the Hollow horde's ambush. Only a few dozen of us survived," Ando said in a low voice.
"Alright. In that case, let's search along this area. The Hollows that attacked the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force are likely around here," Toshiro said.
Then, the three used Shunpo and began searching along the area.
Toshiro, who was searching for the Hollow horde, suddenly stopped.
"What is it, Commander Hitsugaya?" Ando asked.
Seeing Toshiro stop, Amagai and Ando also had to stop.
"No need to search. Maybe we've already found them. A massive Hollow horde is heading in our direction, with many Gillian and Adjuchas. If there are no other surprises, it should be the Hollows that attacked the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force," Toshiro said, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"It must be them. This is just the outer circle of Hueco Mundo. Besides the ones that attacked us, there shouldn't be another Hollow horde this strong here," Ando said, hatred flickering in his eyes.
Soon after, as both sides approached, even Ando and Amagai sensed countless Hollow's Reiatsu Signatures moving closer.
"Let's go. Let's meet those Hollows," Toshiro said, using Shunpo. His figure vanished instantly.
Ando and Amagai hurriedly followed.
Within a Hollow horde composed of ordinary Hollows, large Hollows, Gillian, and Adjuchas.
"Hey, Garcia, lead the way quickly! If those Shinigami moved, we'll have to find them all over again!" Flores roared at Garcia.
"No need! We're already here!"
"Swish!"
The figures of Toshiro and the other two appeared in front of the Hollow horde.
"Ando, is it them? The Hollows that attacked the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force?" Toshiro asked Ando.
"Ah... yes. They are the ones who killed Commander Yamazaki and our expeditionary force brothers," Ando said, his eyes blazing with fury.